Is it Worth Trading the iPad for the iPad Mini?

Rumors suggest Apple will announce the iPad Mini in the next week, which makes today a good time to consider trading in the iPad for an iPad Mini, especially with prices ranging from $130 to $480.

Prices for the old iPhone typically fall as the announcement approaches and again dramatically after it is released, which means now could be a good time to lock in a trade in value if you are planning to sell your iPad to buy an iPad Mini.

iPad trades at Gazelle.com are up 80% over last month, with the original 16GB WiFi iPad taking the top iPad trade in spot according to Anthony Scarsella, Gazelle’s Chief Gadget Officer, who also tells GottaBeMobile that almost 50% of the iPads traded in are the first gen models.

Scarsella expects an iPad Mini with a starting price of around $300, which is higher than the Kindle Fire HD and the Nexus 7, but still priced to compete in the 7-inch tablet market.

Users looking to trade in the iPad for the iPad Mini can lock in a price for the iPad trade-in at Gazelle or Nextworth, which offer 30-day and 21-day price locks on trade-ins. It’s still early to trade in at Amazon or to eBay Instant Sale, though they are worth considering once Apple announces the iPad Mini release date and any iPad Mini pre-order details.

iPad Trade in Prices

All of these trades assume flawless condition on Gazelle and no severe scratches or dents on NextWorth, visit the sites to check the prices for an iPad that is broken, in fair condition or in flawless condition. Updated with even comparison of condition.

Apple iPad (Original) Trade in Prices

WiFi

16GB – $125 Gazelle – $140 NextWorth

32GB – $135 Gazelle – $150 NextWorth

64GB – $155 Gazelle – $160 NextWorth

3G

16GB – $132 Gazelle – $150 NextWorth

32GB – $139 Gazelle – $160 NextWorth

64GB – $148 Gazelle – $170 NextWorth

Apple iPad 2 Trade in Prices

WiFi

16GB – $200 Gazelle – $215 NextWorth

32GB – $240 Gazelle – $240 NextWorth

64GB – $280 Gazelle – $275 NextWorth

3G

16GB – $240 Gazelle – $250 NextWorth

32GB – $280 Gazelle – $270 NextWorth

64GB – $330 Gazelle – $315 NextWorth

Apple New iPad Trade in Prices

WiFi

16GB – $296 Gazelle – $300 NextWorth

32GB – $380 Gazelle – $370 NextWorth

64GB – $450 Gazelle – $430 NextWorth

4G LTE

16GB – $400 Gazelle – $370 NextWorth

32GB – $460 Gazelle – $430 NextWorth

64GB – $500 Gazelle – $480 NextWorth

The iPad maintains a healthy trade-in price, and we may not see the same dip as with a new 9.7-inch iPad announcement, but users looking to trade in can lock in a price today without any obligation if the iPad Mini fails to impress. There may also be a healthier second market on eBay and on Craigslist after the announcement than with a traditional iPad launch.

The iPad Mini’s smaller size should offer greater mobility, though users may miss the larger screen of the 9.7-inch iPad and the plethora of iPad accessories in the short term.